one-two

American  

[wuhn-too] / ˈwʌnˈtu /

noun

1. Also called one-two punch.  Boxing. a left-hand jab immediately followed by a right cross.

2. Informal. any strong or effective combination of two people or things.

   The old one-two of a good passer and a good receiver is the best way to win football games.

3. Fencing. a type of attack made up of two movements.

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adjective

1. employing or suggesting a one-two; with one major or powerful thing or person combined with or following another.

one-two British  

noun

1. boxing a jab with the leading hand followed by a cross with the other hand

2. soccer another term for wall pass

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Etymology

Origin of one-two

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Investors are bracing for what comes next: a possible one-two punch of higher oil prices and higher-for-longer interest rates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Still, a one-two punch of surging inflation and higher interest rates would be much more damaging to the U.S. economy than the recent spike in oil suggests.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Norway's Vilde Nilsen and Canada's Natalie Wilkie could be the ones to fight it out in the women's standing event having finished one-two at the World Championships.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

If the idea was to de-ice Melania for viewers and, in turn, make them forget about the allegations against Ratner, this one-two punch in the film’s first 10 minutes only portends glorious failure.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026

“It’s like this,” Nora says, tapping a straight one-two beat on the back of my seat.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

Related Words

• blow
• jab
• shot
• slap
• stroke